Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications
Whether due to pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, old age, or a health condition, you may be experiencing a leaking bladder or bowel. We understand this can be very difficult to talk about, but the good news is that there are ways to manage it so that you can get out into society and lead a normal life.
While speaking to your doctor about this is a necessary first step, you might also want to consider incontinence pads and pants to help to control the leakage. Whether you're experiencing faecal or urinary incontinence, we've prepared a guide to show the basic things to look for when buying products to deal with it, and we've also rounded up the best options available on Amazon, Boots, Tesco and more.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
This guide outlines what to watch out for when purchasing products to help you cope with bladder and bowel problems. We briefly discuss factors to take into consideration while making your choice, such as absorbency ratings and design.
The style of incontinence product you opt for will depend on the type of incontinence, whether faecal or urinary, as well as the degree of intensity of the incontinence.
The majority of people who experience incontinence actually have just light urinary incontinence and will only ever need pads and nothing more. They are usually similar to the shape and fit of a menstrual pad and sit discreetly inside your underwear.
So if you experience occasional leaks of very small amounts, perhaps when you sneeze, cough or even laugh, or whenever you lift heavy weights and engage in high impact exercise, these do the job! Their low absorbency rating is sufficient for this degree of bladder leakage, as the small gush is contained within the absorbent pad.
Pull-up pants, sometimes also called adult nappies, also provide protection for moderate to heavy incontinence, especially the disposable ones. Designed just like your regular underwear, they're easy and quick to put on and take off.
This makes them a suitable option for fully mobile and independent people. Not only do they offer superior discreetness, they also allow for better freedom of movement, so they might be preferable for people with active lifestyles. You can look for specific men's and women's fits as you require.
You may also want to look into the volume the product can carry without leaking, to be sure that it can handle the level of severity of the incontinence you are experiencing. Watch out for the maximum level the product can hold, and select one with capacity in excess of the waste that you're likely to excrete.
Most products will be labelled with the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Total Absorbency measured in (ml), to help you compare brands and select the most appropriate one for your needs.
Light to moderate capacities range between 100 ml and about 900 ml, while anything above 1000 ml is great for heavier incontinence. However, never use a product to its full capacity as it will be saturated, causing the product to be damp, heavy and uncomfortable for you.
Most incontinence products are made of paper, and thus are disposable. However, there are a few reusable options that are cost-effective in the long run, some of which are made of materials such as cotton to provide a more normal underwear feel.
Disposables have better odour control and higher absorbency. Though the washable alternatives provide greater convenience and are less wasteful, they have little-to-no absorption protection and should only be used for light emergencies. More so, they are not designed for any form of faecal incontinence whatsoever!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | iD iD Expert Belt M Maxi | £15.86 Mid | A Belted All-In-One Perfect for People With Limited Mobility | ||
2 | Tena Incontinence Pants, Super | £14.53 Mid | A Body-Close Fit for Slim Men and Women | ||
3 | Always Discreet Incontinence Pads, Long | £22.50 High Mid | Dermatologically-Tested Pads That You Barely Feel | ||
4 | Attends Faecal Pad|F6 | £9.99 Low Mid | An Anatomically-Shaped Pad You Can Rely On | ||
5 | Depend Active-Fit Underwear | £24.00 High | Discreet Pants for Men With Active Lifestyles | ||
6 | Abena Abri-San Premium Special Air Plus | £15.50 Mid | A Versatile, Heavy Duty Choice From a Popular Range | ||
7 | Natracare Dry & Light Slim Incontinence Pads | £2.79 Low | The Best Budget Pick That's Natural Too | ||
8 | Hartmann MoliMed for Men Active Pads | £8.99 Low Mid | Great Men's Incontinence Aid for Active Guys | ||
9 | Drylife Male Washable Incontinence Pants | £15.99 Mid | A Perky Cotton Pant With Built-In Pad | ||
10 | Kanga® Waterproof Plastic Pants | £10.25 Low Mid | A Reusable Pant That Maximises Usage |
This super-absorbent product takes our top position because it has such a superb working capacity. The belted briefs are designed for managing moderate to heavy incontinence in active and independent people. They're also great for those with limited mobility or who require assistance from a caregiver.
They feature anti-leak cuffs on the back sheet which enhance the softness, as well as a super-absorbent core that reduces the risk of leakage. Also, the belt is held together with the aid of a Velcro closure as well as hook-and-loop fastenings, which keeps it steady and prevents any rustling while you move.
For those with slimmer builds, finding incontinence pants that are close-fitting might be a little difficult because there aren't that many on the market. However, with this product, you get a size that is perfectly small and snug, without being too tight.
However, these disposable pull-ups are also available in medium and large, so feel free to opt for the bigger sizes if you think the small size isn't suitable for your hip circumference. All in all, the advanced Dual Absorption Zone is a great feature present in all sizes that helps you feel dry as it channels moisture away from your body.
These dermatologically-tested pads from Always are safe and easy on the skin, so you can be sure that there are no toxic chemicals emitted. Not only do they prevent skin irritation, but they keep your parts feeling their best due to how smooth and soft they feel!
You'll barely feel like you're wearing them as they allow your skin breath while giving you all-day protection without the irritating wet feeling. Additionally, they have a longer length than most other regular pads which ensures better coverage for you.
This pad is anatomically shaped for a comfortable fit and the utmost discretion. The body-contoured pad is designed for both sexes, and offers an ideal solution for managing faecal incontinence. It also has natural odour protection, giving you day-long confidence.
The polyethene back sheet provides maximum security too, keeping faeces in and preventing it from leaving the pad. The back sheet also has good air and water vapour permeability as well as adequate water resistance to stop anything soaking through and ruining clothes. You can rely on this product because it actually works!
Made with premium cotton-like fabric, these pants are soft and supple to the touch, ensuring all-round comfort. The fabric is also really breathable and close-fitting, giving you the look, fit and feel of real underwear.
With their motion-flex technology that allows for added stretch, these are pants that move with you all day. They also feature masculine elastic waistbands which create a natural, brief-like fit, in addition to the elastic legs which help protect against leaks. This is a top pick for gym lovers, sports enthusiasts or simply anyone constantly on the move!
The Abri-San range forms a whole system for all degrees of incontinence. This brilliant product, while designed especially for fecal incontinence, is additionally suitable for urinary problems, so it is a total solution for incontinence care.
These all-in-ones have effective leakage barriers with pockets built into the design that keep the contents inside – even when released under pressure! Note, however, that it is recommended that this product be worn with fixation pants as part of a 2-piece system in order to hold the slip in place, which adds to its already bulky look.
With so many low-quality pads pervading the market, this product is a breath of fresh air. Made from organically-sourced materials, these pads are gentle on your skin and also environmentally-friendly, thanks to the ecologically-certified cellulose pulp, plant starch and cotton ingredients that are perfect for sensitive skin.
This is a reliable option and they're only a few pounds a pack, so they're a great choice if you're on a budget. However, be mindful that these pads can only hold in so much before you'll need to change them over, so they're another option better suited to lighter leaks.
This men's pad is designed in a pocket style and is effective at urinary protection. It holds every leakage in neatly due to its good suction power which draws in a great degree of the liquid and keeps you feeling fresh, dry and comfortable.
The spacious bag-like design means that you will be able to move freely in it and it doesn't press against your testicles or prove irritating. However, this also means that it may not be as discreet as you'd like and could potentially show up beneath your briefs.
Here is a great way for guys to feel fresh – these ultra-comfy undies are made of 100% cotton. They're also a big hit because they're much less bulky than disposables, and also less obvious or noisy than nylon reusable pants. In addition, there's a size for every man from small to XXL.
The pants concentrate on urine drips as opposed to other possible incontinence, with the aid of the built-in pads in the crotch area which are made of absorbent fibres that hold approximately 250 ml. However, since the performance capacity isn't so high, they're only useful for minor leaks.
For people with stress incontinence or other light urinary conditions, washable pants like these can be an option for both ladies and gents. They do not come with a super-absorbent core, so the amount of liquid they can retain is quite low.
Nonetheless, they have good waist and leg cuffs and are made from thin and lightweight nylon that is able to temporarily contain sudden discharges, making it perfect for a gentleman who's got slight dribbles after urination, or a lady with urge incontinence, for example. Though the material may feel a little sweaty, these are better for the environment as they create less waste than disposables!
Incontinence can occur to any of us at many different stages in our lives, from pregnancy to illness and everything in between. Whether you want something to help with postpartum comfort or some pads or pants that can double up for use during your period, take a look at our related articles for some help choosing.
Having factored in all that you should and looked at the best options available for you, you're now ready to pick a pad or pant that is tolerable for you and able to help you better manage your toileting difficulties.
Author: David Gbe
No. 1: iD|iD Expert Belt M Maxi
No. 2: Tena|Incontinence Pants, Super
No. 3: Always|Discreet Incontinence Pads, Long
No. 4: Attends|Faecal Pad|F6
No. 5: Depend|Active-Fit Underwear
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications